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Severe crop damage at Redden State Forest creates public deer harvest opportunities

A recent increase in severe deer damage to agricultural crops in Georgetown is prompting additional public deer harvest opportunities to assist local farmers. 

The issue centers on two portions of Redden State Forest, and is causing problems for local farmers.

So, the Delaware Forest Service (DFS) and DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife plan to open specific portions of the forest’s Jester Tract this week to expanded antlerless deer harvest dates and methods.

Deputy State Forester  Kyle Hoyd says the Department of Agriculture (DDA) recognizes farmers are attempting to protect their crops without using lethal measures, but those efforts are not keeping deer from causing crop damage. 

Hoyd notes the field inspections conducted by the DDA are showing upwards of an 85% crop loss this year due to deer.

He says under this special permit from DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, only antlerless deer can be harvested in the specified portions of the Jester Tract outlined in red on special maps.  

This additional harvest wiill run through September 30, 2019. Only legally approved firearms or archery equipment can be used  and a Delaware hunting license or License Exempt Number (LEN) is required.

 
Harvested deer may be donated to the Delaware Sportsmen Against Hunger Program using the walk-in cooler at the Redden State Forest.

 

 

Kelli Steele has over 30 years of experience covering news in Delaware, Baltimore, Winchester, Virginia, Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California.